Combined fence and tree-protector



(No Model.)

G. E. BLAINE 8a P. T. SOUTH.

COMBINED FENCE AND TREE PROTECTOR.

'N0. 446,849. Patented Feb. 24., 1891.

Fig.1.

. lllllllll llllllll i i ui l kW III "F numml r lllll. l

, showing a panel of fence complete.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

GEORGE E. BLAINE AND PHILIP T. SOUTH, OF IVAYNESVILLE, OHIO.

COMBINED FENCE AND TREE-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,849, dated February 24, 1891.

Application filed August 13 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that We, GEORGE E. BLAINE and PHILIP T. SOUTH, citizens of the United States, residing at \Vaynesville, lVarren county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Combined Fence and Tree-Protector, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in fences combining a tree guard or protector for growing trees; and the object of our improvement is to provide a neat, cheap, durable fence and tree-protector. \Ve attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of our invention, Fig. 2 is a section of a panel, showing tree guard or protector about tree. Fig. 3 is a top sectional View of fence-section and tree-guard. Fig. t is a top view of pickets secured to strap.

Similar letters refertosimilar parts throughout the several views.

Our device is so simple in construction that an elaborat description seems unnecessary.

\Ve use ordinary fence-posts A A, perforated metallic straps B B, braces b b, pickets O, and guards D D. The straps B B are secured to the posts A A by nailing. The braces b b are made fast at the lower ends to a picket O by clinch-n ails, their top ends being secured to the posts by nailin Thus a perfect brace is secured. Pickets 0 may be made fast to the straps and braces at any desired distance apart by means of wire or clinch nails. lVe use hoop-iron or other metallic strip with perforations therein. The tree guard or protector D D is made from a piece of a panel of our fence secured to the fence-pan e1 wherever desired or required as a protector for growing trees, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In the construction of woven-wire picket fences, or picket fences made with metallic straps, it is well known that the great obj ection to their use is due to the fact that the pickets rest upon the ground, thereby soon rotting off, or that the panels soon sag in the Serial No. 361,947. (No model.)

center and become so loose and slack that hogs will raise them up and crawl under the fence, or the panels will sway to and fro so constantly from the action of the wind that the fastenings will be drawn from the posts and the fences fall to the ground. Most wire or strap fences, being anchored or braced only at opposite ends of long strings offence, if a brace is removed or a strand of wire breaks anywhere in the line all the panels and pickets get loose; but with our device each panel of fence is braced between the posts. The straps and braces both being secured to the posts, each panel is thereby rendered independent of every other one. Besides, with our fence it is not necessary to use or prepare any particular kind or size of picket. \Ve can take up an old rail fence and utilize nearly the whole of it in our fence as readily as a new piece of picket lumber. Therefore the cost of construction makes it cheaper than any other. kind. The pickets being raised from the ground and held up off the ground by means of the braces, recommends our fence to the farmer, because he can cut the weeds, which usually grow about fences, readily from either side, as the scythe will pass under the fence-panel.

\Ve are aware that perforated iron or metallic straps are not a new thing, therefore we do not broadly claim this; but

That We do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a picket fence and tree-protector, the combination, with the posts A A, of two or more perforated metal straps B B, made fast to the posts, brace straps b b, secured to the center of the lower strap B and a picket O,

and also to the posts A A, pickets O, secured to straps and braces, and the guard D D, made fast to the straps and pickets 0, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

GEORGE E. BLAINE. PHILIP '1. SOUTH. Attest:

O. D. WooLLEY, J. A. WooLLEY. 

